Bruins lose league opener 37-44

Brookings-Harbor High School quarterback, senior Izak Ehlers (12), bombs the ball down field for a touchdown during Friday’s 37-44 loss to the Sutherlin Bulldogs. The Pilot/Jef Hatch

If the Brookings-Harbor High School football team had had just one more quarter worth of football to play they may have won Friday night’s game against Sutherlin, instead of losing 37-44.

At least, that’s how Head Coach Eric Sullivan feels about the output from his team.

“This team puts out so much effort,” he said. “I’m so proud of what they did tonight. They gave it everything they had and I know they are really upset right now, but I know they gave it everything, and I’m proud of them.”

The Bruins took the opening kickoff and marched it down the gridiron to within five yards of the end zone where they were stopped by the Bulldogs.

The first half was more of the same with neither team giving much ground and the score at the half 6-8 in favor of Sutherlin.

The second half found both teams scoring fast and furiously, but the Bruins gave up 28 points in the third quarter, while only scoring 18.

The Bruins kept it going in the fourth quarter when they received the ball with just 1:32 remaining and marched it down the field to score a touchdown and draw within seven.

The Bruins attempted an onside kick but were unable to recover the ball and Sutherlin took a knee for the remaining possessions.

“I know this one hurts,” defensive coordinator Chris Schofield said as he addressed the team following the game, “but we’re headed in the right direction. There were a lot of really good things tonight, we just need to adjust some little things.”

The Bruins drop to 0-1 in league and 0-3 overall with the loss and will travel to Marshfield next Friday for a game scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.